S
snoscytheI've been studying the statements of the prophets (at a time when they were either an apostle or the President of the Church) that relate to politics and elections, and I thought I would share them:
"In relation to these matters, the Elders of Israel begin to understand that they have something to do with the world politically as well as religiously, that it is as much their duty to study correct political principles as well as religious, and to seek to know and comprehend the social and political interests of man, and to learn and be able to teach that which would be best calculated to promote the interests of the world." - John Taylor (1862, JD-9:340)
"We need to recognize that America has become a great nation because she adhered whole-heartedly to certain basic Christian principles that are eternal. We must have an adherence to these high moral principles, these spiritual principles, if this nation is to endure. God grant that it may endure!" - Ezra Taft Benson (BYU 10/22/1954).
"I don't believe that men in high places, in government, in business, or elsewhere can successfully divorce their private lives from their public declarations and protestations. Nor do I believe that women who attain positions of eminence can do it either. We often speak of the gullible public, but I am very much inclined to think that there is enough discernment in this public to see behind the idealistic words of a speaker or writer, the consistency of performance. ... would subject every representative of the American people, from small community level, to state, national and international position, to the scrutiny and test of virtuous, moral standards. I would. Some will say, you are discounting the value of brains and "know-how" in this intricate business of government and sociology. I am not. I stand in awe of the presence of a great mind with superior intelligence devoted to human welfare. We are greatly dependent on such minds, but if I had to make a choice, which I ought not to have to make, between talent and integrity, I would choose integrity and virtue, for without them we are lost." - Stephen L. Richards (Conference Report, 10/53:101)
"I wish you ever to remember this when you think of yourselves, your brethren, or of any man that wants influence in the world. Always learn what an individual wants influence for. If he wants it for good, to promote peace and righteousness, never hinder his efforts, but promote them if you can. But when men try to gain influence for evil, to lead their fellow creatures in the way to death, exercise all the power you possess to abridge such influence; destroy it if you can." - Brigham Young (1867, JD-12:18)
"[W]hat party do you belong to or would you vote for? I will tell you whom we will vote for: we will vote for the man who will sustain the principles of civil and religious liberty, the man who knows the most and has the best heart and brain for a statesman; and we do not care a farthing whether he is a whig, a democrat, a barnburner, a republican, a new light, or anything else. These are our politics." - Brigham Young (1869, JD-13:149)
"Let the people see to it that they get righteous men to be their leaders, who will labour with their hands and administer to their own necessities, sit in judgment, legislate, and govern in righteousness; and officers that are filled with peace; and see to it that every man goes forth among the people as a travelling officer if full of fear of the Lord, and would rather do right at a sacrifice than wrong as a reward. ...[A]nd the people should concentrate their feelings, their influence, and their faith, to select the best man they can to be their President, if he had nothing more to eat that potatoes and salt--a man who will not aspire to become greater than the people who appoint him, but be contented to live as they live, be clothed as they are clothed, and in every good thing be one with them. - Brigham Young (JD-7:12-13)
"We engage in the election the same as in any other principle; you are to vote for good men, and if you do not do this it is a sin; to vote for wicked men, it would be sin. Choose the good and refuse the evil. Men of false principles have preyed upon us like wolves upon helpless lambs. Damn the rod of tyranny; curse it. Let every man use his liberties according to the Constitution. Don't fear man or devil; electioneer with all people, male and female, and exhort them to do the thing that is right. We want a President of the U.S., not a party President, but a President of the whole people; for a party President disenfranchises the opposite party. Have a President who will maintain every man in his rights." - Hyrum Smith (1844, DHC-6:323).
"Unity is power; and when I reflect on the importance of it to the stability of all government, I am astounded at the silly moves of persons and parties to foment discord in order to ride into power on the current of popular excitement" - Joseph Smith (1844, DHC-6:198)
"In relation to these matters, the Elders of Israel begin to understand that they have something to do with the world politically as well as religiously, that it is as much their duty to study correct political principles as well as religious, and to seek to know and comprehend the social and political interests of man, and to learn and be able to teach that which would be best calculated to promote the interests of the world." - John Taylor (1862, JD-9:340)
"We need to recognize that America has become a great nation because she adhered whole-heartedly to certain basic Christian principles that are eternal. We must have an adherence to these high moral principles, these spiritual principles, if this nation is to endure. God grant that it may endure!" - Ezra Taft Benson (BYU 10/22/1954).
"I don't believe that men in high places, in government, in business, or elsewhere can successfully divorce their private lives from their public declarations and protestations. Nor do I believe that women who attain positions of eminence can do it either. We often speak of the gullible public, but I am very much inclined to think that there is enough discernment in this public to see behind the idealistic words of a speaker or writer, the consistency of performance. ... would subject every representative of the American people, from small community level, to state, national and international position, to the scrutiny and test of virtuous, moral standards. I would. Some will say, you are discounting the value of brains and "know-how" in this intricate business of government and sociology. I am not. I stand in awe of the presence of a great mind with superior intelligence devoted to human welfare. We are greatly dependent on such minds, but if I had to make a choice, which I ought not to have to make, between talent and integrity, I would choose integrity and virtue, for without them we are lost." - Stephen L. Richards (Conference Report, 10/53:101)
"I wish you ever to remember this when you think of yourselves, your brethren, or of any man that wants influence in the world. Always learn what an individual wants influence for. If he wants it for good, to promote peace and righteousness, never hinder his efforts, but promote them if you can. But when men try to gain influence for evil, to lead their fellow creatures in the way to death, exercise all the power you possess to abridge such influence; destroy it if you can." - Brigham Young (1867, JD-12:18)
"[W]hat party do you belong to or would you vote for? I will tell you whom we will vote for: we will vote for the man who will sustain the principles of civil and religious liberty, the man who knows the most and has the best heart and brain for a statesman; and we do not care a farthing whether he is a whig, a democrat, a barnburner, a republican, a new light, or anything else. These are our politics." - Brigham Young (1869, JD-13:149)
"Let the people see to it that they get righteous men to be their leaders, who will labour with their hands and administer to their own necessities, sit in judgment, legislate, and govern in righteousness; and officers that are filled with peace; and see to it that every man goes forth among the people as a travelling officer if full of fear of the Lord, and would rather do right at a sacrifice than wrong as a reward. ...[A]nd the people should concentrate their feelings, their influence, and their faith, to select the best man they can to be their President, if he had nothing more to eat that potatoes and salt--a man who will not aspire to become greater than the people who appoint him, but be contented to live as they live, be clothed as they are clothed, and in every good thing be one with them. - Brigham Young (JD-7:12-13)
"We engage in the election the same as in any other principle; you are to vote for good men, and if you do not do this it is a sin; to vote for wicked men, it would be sin. Choose the good and refuse the evil. Men of false principles have preyed upon us like wolves upon helpless lambs. Damn the rod of tyranny; curse it. Let every man use his liberties according to the Constitution. Don't fear man or devil; electioneer with all people, male and female, and exhort them to do the thing that is right. We want a President of the U.S., not a party President, but a President of the whole people; for a party President disenfranchises the opposite party. Have a President who will maintain every man in his rights." - Hyrum Smith (1844, DHC-6:323).
"Unity is power; and when I reflect on the importance of it to the stability of all government, I am astounded at the silly moves of persons and parties to foment discord in order to ride into power on the current of popular excitement" - Joseph Smith (1844, DHC-6:198)